In this lesson, children learn that God hears us when we are sad, scared, or treated unfairly, and that we can bring our hard feelings honestly to him. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
When things go wrong, we can tell God how we feel, and he listens and cares for his people.
Memory Verse
Psalm 79:9
Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.
(WEB)
Cup both hands together in front of your chest, like you are holding a small bowl of water. Lift your hands up toward the sky slowly as you say the words, then bring them down to your heart. Do this each time you say the verse so the motion helps it stick.
The Story: Psalm 79 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Jerusalem were in a very sad time. Enemy nations had come into the land God had given his people. They had made a mess of the holy temple, where the people went to worship God. The city lay in heaps of broken stones, and it looked nothing like the beautiful place it had been.
Many of God’s servants had died, and there was no one left to bury them. The birds and wild animals were left to deal with what was lying in the streets. It was a frightening and painful thing to see. The people felt terrible, and some of their neighbors even laughed at them and asked, “Where is their God now?”
The writer of this song did not hide these feelings. He spoke to God directly and asked, “How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?” He was honest about how hurt and scared he felt. He did not pretend everything was fine when it was not.
Then he asked God for help. He said, “Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.” He asked God to forgive their sins and to rescue them. The writer trusted that God could still do something good, even in such a hard moment.
The song ends with a promise. The people said that they, God’s own flock, would thank him and praise him forever and ever. Even in their sadness, they chose to keep trusting God and to keep worshiping him.
Read It Together
Psalm 79:1-3
1 God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps. 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth. 3 Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem. There was no one to bury them.
(WEB)
Point out that the people were not hiding what had happened to them. Ask the children to notice how sad and serious the situation was, and explain that God’s people were not afraid to describe it honestly.
Psalm 79:8-9
8 Don’t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need. 9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake.
(WEB)
Show the children the words asking God for mercy and help. Explain that the people asked God to hear them because they knew he is the one who can save and forgive. Remind them that asking for help is a good thing to do.
Psalm 79:13
So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever. We will praise you forever, to all generations.
(WEB)
Point out the promise at the end of the song. Explain that even after a hard time, the people chose to keep thanking and praising God. Ask the children how they can keep thanking God when things are difficult.
Talk About It
- What is something that made you feel sad or scared this week, and what did you do about it?
- Why do you think the writer told God exactly how he felt instead of pretending everything was okay?
- What did the people in the story ask God to do for them?
- How can you tell God about your feelings when you are alone in your room or at school?
- What is one thing you can thank God for, even on a hard day?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Prayer Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw one thing that makes them feel worried or sad, then draw a small figure of God or a bright sun beside it to show that God sees and cares. Let them show their pictures and say a short sentence about each one. Keep the pictures so children can look at them during the week.
Help Me, Lord Freeze Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a clock with a second hand. Call out a feeling like “scared” or “lonely,” and have the children act it out with their bodies. Then call “Help me, Lord!” and have everyone freeze and lift their hands toward the sky for a few seconds. Repeat several times, mixing up the feelings so children practice calling on God in different moments.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar or small box, some paper slips, and a pen. Give each child a few slips and ask them to write or draw one thing they want to tell God, whether it is a worry or a thank-you. They place the slips in the jar and pray over them together at dinner or bedtime. Encourage the family to add to the jar each week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 79 shows that God’s people can bring real grief, anger, and confusion to him in prayer without fear that he will turn away. The psalm also rests on confidence that God is merciful and able to save, and it closes with a commitment to keep praising him. Adults can see in it both honest lament and steady hope, held together.
With children, avoid overstating the historical details or implying that God’s anger is always directed at a specific group of people in a simple way. Keep the focus on the honest prayer, God’s listening, and the reminder to keep trusting and thanking him, rather than on the violence of the scene.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, we are glad you hear us when we are sad, scared, or confused. Help us tell you exactly how we feel, and help us trust that you care for us. Thank you for always being with us and for rescuing us. We will keep thanking and praising you. Amen.
